New research from the GSMA, the representatives of mobile networks across the globe, reveals statistics about 4G networks.
The study found that by the year 2017, 4G networks will have over 1 billion users and that 1 in every 8 people using the internet-capable devices, will be using 4G LTE.
The GSMA research shows a remarkable change in migration rate from 3G devices to 4G devices, especially when comparing to the preceding shift to 3G devices.
A major reason the change is taking place so rapidly is the pricing of the service, which is relatively cheap compared to previous offerings of 3G services. In addition, many telecom companies are offering generous contract packages with new devices at good rates.
According to the chief strategy officer at the GSMA, Hyunmi Yang, “Our new report highlights a number of factors that are driving LTE growth: the timely allocation of suitable spectrum to mobile operators; the availability of affordable LTE devices; and the implementation of innovative tariffs that encourage adoption of high-speed data services. Mobile operators in both developed and developing markets are seeing LTE services contributing to a significant increase in ARPU.”
Predications indicate that by the year 2017 a total of 500 4G networks will be available across more than 120 different countries across the world. This is double the current number of available networks.
The study also revealed information concerning data usage on both networks. According to the GSMA, when individuals began to use the 3G network, they consumed an average of 750 megabytes of data per month.
However, when migrating to 4G networks, data usage doubled and the average data consumed increased to 1.5 gigabytes per month.
Also, by the end of 2013, estimates suggest that over 175 million individuals will be using 4G network services.
Demographics
As the 4G network is still only 4 years young, current use of the networks vary from country to country. Currently, Asian countries such as Japan and South Korea have the highest usage within the countries, where 80% of internet users are on a 4G network.
The United States dominates the entire market with 46% of overall 4G usage centered in the massive country. Also, in the 90% of the total American population are offered LTE connections by their telecom providers.
However, it is expected that they will not be the leader in this area come 2017.
Asian countries are expected to account for 47% of all 4G connections in the next three to four years. This is largely in part to the slow adoption rate to the service in large Asian nations, notably, China and India.
This research indicates that within a few years, the majority of the world will truly be connected to one another.